High Performance Working Initiative (HPWI)
As part of its drive to lift New Zealand’s productivity, the Government has launched a workplace initiative to provide practical support to firms wanting to introduce High Performance Working (HPW) practices. A $1million annual fund has been established to help firms engage specialist business consultants who can work with them to increase their productivity.
HPW is defined as a general approach to improving workplace practices and involves:
- a systematic approach to business improvement
- enhanced workplace practices to raise productivity
- a high level of employee engagement, and
- an approach that becomes part of an organisation’s normal and ongoing way of working.
The HPW Initiative will provide a kick-start to firms wanting to introduce these sorts of activities into their workplace.
“High Performance Working Partners”, such as regional business networks, industry bodies, and trade or union based organisations, are invited to facilitate this initiative for their members. Through this initiative, for example, funding could support the introduction of HPW activities in a group of firms within the same industry.
Limited funding is also available for individual firms seeking support directly from the Initiative, rather than as a member of a partner-based approach.
A longer term aim of the HPW Initiative is to build a body of knowledge on ‘best practice’ in high performance working practices that can be promoted more widely, to other firms or industries.
The Department is now calling for expressions of interest from organisations interested in becoming a High Performance Working Partner.
For more information, email HPW@dol.govt.nz, or call +64 4 915 6259 or read the Q&As.
